ESF&V from G2 many years. The farm sells plugs for vegetables, perennial and annual flowers, while also specializing in mums and poinsettias, almost all going to greenhouses, farmer’s markets and retailers. “Economy and weather are the No. 1 factors in this business,” said Fairweather. “The die-hard gardeners will still be out there, but the best ones in our business need to attract the fringe customer to be successful.” In view of that special customer, Wessels Farm has branched out
into developing deer-resistant varieties of vegetables and flowers for the suburban gardener. Wessels has worked for many years with horticultural researchers at Penn State, Cornell and Rutgers to develop these new products. “We will be offering 20 new (deer -resistant) items this year,” Fairweather said. Growing vegetables in greenhouses was among the many lectures that dealt with practical matters. There were other lectures devoted to pesticide safety, irrigation,
processing vegetables, food safety following a flood, or specific lectures devoted solely to onions, tomatoes, eggplant, corn or winter greens. There were businessrelated and more technical seminars, such as boosting workforce productivity, business and labor management, and discussions on changes in government regulations. The conference also presented several sessions in Spanish. The Expo came to the OnCenter in 2005. “It’s continued to grow for
Ed Fairweather of Wessels’ Farms talks with attendees about their availability of finished material for the spring. Wessels’ produces quality plugs and finished material.
the two years I’ve been here,” said Expo Executive Director Jeanette Marvin. “And it’s growing despite the recession. We had a tough growing year in New York state, but when times are tough, farmers concentrate more on their education.” That explains why a seminar on high tunnels and greenhouses, for example, was packed with a standing-room only crowd. “When you have bad weather, such things as irrigation and greenhouses allow you to extend the season,” Marvin noted. “We got a late start planting last spring, so we’re continually looking for ways to outsmart Mother Nature.” The Expo organizers also feel a responsibility to keep farmers, growers and producers informed of changes in state or federal agricultural policies. “I think there is a concern about state government in Albany as it seeks to downsize,” Marvin said. “It will mean some changes for agribusiness.” The dates for next year’s Expo are Jan. 2224 at the same location.
Linda Johnson and Janet Fallon, Agri-One Soils Lab, pose for a quick photo.
Butch McQueen, RE & HJ McQueen, explains the benefits of this New Holland tractor with front linkage.
Mike Magee (left) talks with attendees about the refrigerated and ventilated storages available from Arctic Refrigeration Co. of Batavia. February 20, 2012 • COUNTRY FOLKS West • Section G - Page G3
John Peterson, Stanley Paper Co. shows Mike Athanas how easy the donut making machine is to operate.